Scholarships

Female graduate, in mortarboard and robes, smiles as she holds up her diploma during commencement ceremonies.

Scholarship Opportunities Open to All Current Students for the 2024—2025 Academic Year!

The Westfield State University Foundation will be accepting scholarship applications for the 2024—2025 academic year starting February 1, 2024! The application deadline is Sunday, March 24, 2024.

To apply, use your Westfield State email to create an account on the Scholarship Portal.

If you need assistance, please contact Bonnie Clark Hanson, the Portal Administrator, at bclark@westfield.ma.edu.

Scholarships Offered by Westfield State

First-Year & Transfer Students

Merit-based scholarships are for first-year and transfer students in the full-time Day Division who meet requirements not related to financial need and are awarded for superior academic achievement. Merit scholarships are based on the application for Admission. There are no separate scholarship applications. Merit-based scholarships are also available to out-of-state students.

Students are encouraged to apply for private scholarships as well.

Merit Scholarships for First-Year Students

Please note that scholarships are limited. Students are encouraged to apply early in order to be considered for a Merit Scholarship.

Tsongas Scholarship

The Tsongas Scholarship recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new first-year students at Westfield State University. The award covers annual cost of tuition and fees.

First-year applicants who are Massachusetts residents and meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Combined SAT-I score of 1360 or higher in Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and Math; and
  • High school cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the university of at least 4.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Tsongas scholarships are renewable as a full-time Day Division student each year for a maximum of four years by maintaining a 3.30 cumulative GPA.

Presidential Merit Scholarship

The Presidential Merit Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new first-year students at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $5,000 annually.

First-year applicants who are Massachusetts residents and meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • High School cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the university of at least 4.0
  • Applying to live on campus in University housing.

Presidential Merit Scholarships are renewable as a full-time Day Division student each year for a maximum of eight semesters, by making satisfactory academic progress, remaining in good academic standing, and continued residence in on-campus housing.

Leadership Scholarship

The Leadership Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new first-year students at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $2,000 annually.

First-year applicants who are Massachusetts residents and meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • High school cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the university of at least 3.50 on a 4.0 scale

Leadership Scholarships are renewable as a full-time Day Division student each year for a maximum of eight semesters, by making satisfactory academic progress and remaining in good academic standing.

Dean Scholarship

The Dean Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new first-year students at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $1,000 annually.

First-year applicants who are Massachusetts residents and meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • High school cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the university of at least 3.00 on a 4.0 scale

Dean Scholarships are renewable as a full-time Day Division student each year for a maximum of eight semesters, by making satisfactory academic progress and remaining in good academic standing.

WSU Alumni Legacy Award

The WSU Alumni Legacy Award is a university-funded scholarship for accepted first-year and transfer students whose parent/guardian(s) are graduates of Westfield State University. Upon acceptance to Westfield State, these students are eligible for this $1,000 (annual) award, renewable each semester.

The WSU Alumni Legacy Award is renewable as a full-time Day Division student each year for a maximum of eight semesters, by making satisfactory academic progress, remaining in good academic standing.

Honors Program Award

The Honors Program Award is given to first-year students who have a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 and are enrolled in the Honors Program at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $750 annually.

The Honors Program Award is renewable as a full-time Day Division student each year as long as the student continues in the Honors Program.

Out-of-State Scholarship

The Out-of-State Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new first-year students at Westfield State University.  The award maximum is $5,000 annually.

First-year applicants who are not Massachusetts residents and do not qualify for the New England Board of Higher Education Regional Rate (see proximity regions) and meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • High School cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the university of at least 3.00 on a 4.0 scale
  • Meet all MA Department of Higher Education academic course requirements

The Out-of-State Scholarship is renewable as a full-time Day Division student each year for a maximum of eight semesters, by making satisfactory academic progress and remaining in good academic standing.

International Student Scholarship

The International Student Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new students at Westfield State University.  The award maximum is $5,000 annually.

First-year international students who meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the university of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

The International Student Scholarship is renewable as a full-time Day Division student each year for a maximum of eight semesters, by making satisfactory academic progress and remaining in good academic standing.

Merit Scholarships for Transfer Students

Please note that scholarships are limited. Students are encouraged to apply early in order to be considered for a Merit Scholarship.

Leadership Scholarship

The Leadership Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected transfer students at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $2,000 annually.

Transfer applicants who are Massachusetts residents and meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the university of at least 3.70 on a 4.0 scale.

Leadership Scholarships are renewable as a full-time Day Division student each year for a maximum of six semesters, by making satisfactory academic progress and remaining in good academic standing.

Dean Scholarship

The Dean Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new transfer students at Westfield State University. The award maximum is $1,000 annually.

Transfer applicants who are Massachusetts residents and meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the university of at least 3.30 on a 4.0 scale

Dean Scholarships are renewable as a full-time Day Division student each year for a maximum of six semesters.  Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress and remain in good academic standing.

Out-of-State Scholarship

The Out-of-State Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected transfer students at Westfield State University.  The award maximum is $5,000 annually.

Transfer applicants who are not Massachusetts residents and do not qualify for the New England Board of Higher Education Regional Rate (see proximity regions) and meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the university of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

The Out-of-State Scholarship is renewable as a full-time Day Division student each year for a maximum of six semesters, by making satisfactory academic progress and remaining in good academic standing.

 

International Student Scholarship

The International Student Scholarship is a university-funded scholarship that recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of selected new students at Westfield State University.  The award maximum is $5,000 annually.

Transfer international students who meet the following minimum criteria will be considered automatically:

  • Cumulative grade point average at the time of acceptance to the university of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

The International Student Scholarship is renewable as a full-time Day Division student each year for a maximum of six semesters, by making satisfactory academic progress and remaining in good academic standing.

S-STEM Scholarship

The S-STEM scholarship is available to full-time enrolled Westfield State students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in biologychemistrycomputer scienceenvironmental science, and mathematics.

Learn more

Scholarships Offered by Other Organizations

Below is a listing of scholarships from various organizations that the Financial Aid Office has reviewed. The list is not meant to be comprehensive, but rather give students a place to start their search. 

Private Scholarships

Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Community Foundation Administers scholarships and no-interest loans for students who live in Western Massachusetts. Last year alone, the program attracted around 2,500 applications and awarded approximately $2 million to over 700 recipients and is recognized as one of the largest programs of the 700 plus community foundations in the country. The application period for the 2021-2022 academic year is January 1 - March 31, 2021. The application is only available online.

Greater Worcester Community Foundation
Greater Worcester Community Foundation offers many college scholarships, ranging in size from $300 to $5,000 that help local students continue their education after high school. Roughly, half of them were renewable for subsequent years of study. The application period for the 2021-2022 academic year is January 5 - March 1, 2021 at 5:00 PM. Recipients are announced in June. Scholarships are awarded for the academic year beginning in September. The application is available online.

Greater Lowell Community Foundation
Since their inception in 1997, hundreds of local students have received financial support through the Community Foundation’s scholarship programs to pursue higher education. Under the Community Foundation’s Donor Involved Scholarship Programs, donors or organizations partner with Community Foundation to oversee the selection and awarding process while the Community Foundation ensures compliance with IRS regulations and handles award processing. Under the GLCF’s managed scholarship fund the Community Foundation administers the application, selection and award process with the help of staff and community volunteers.

Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts
The Community Foundation has moved to an online application format for those scholarships selected by the Community Foundation Scholarship Committee. The application period for the 2021-2022 academic year is January 1 - March 1, 2021.

Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
There are several different scholarship opportunities and applications for each of the Southeast, Norwich, and Windham County sections of the Community Foundation's 42-town territory. Applications for 2021-2022 academic year are available February 1 - March 22, 2021.

The Sallie Mae Bridging the Dream Scholarship
This scholarship will award $20,000 to four current and future graduate students for their graduate or professional degree. Applications can be submitted at .

Essex County Community Foundation
The Community Foundation is honored to have a variety of scholarship funds established by individuals and groups of donors for the purposes of helping young people further their education. The Foundation does not accept scholarship applications but works with scholarship selection committees that screen and recommend candidates to the ECCF Board of Trustees for approval.

Community Foundation of Hudson Valley
A majority of the Foundation’s scholarships use an Online Application. Most of these funds have very specific eligibility criteria.

Gallagher Health Careers Scholarship
The Gallagher Health Careers Scholarship program awards six (6) $7,500 scholarships to qualified students.

Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fun
Based in Washington, D.C., the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) is the nation's largest non-profit provider of college scholarships for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Since 2003, APIASF has distributed nearly $90 million in scholarships to AAPI students across the country and in the Pacific Islands. APIASF manages three scholarship programs.

New England Employee Benefits Council
The New England Employee Benefits Council (NEEBC), is offering three to four scholarships up to $5,000, to undergraduate or graduate students who are currently enrolled in any accredited public or private New England college or university, who have completed a minimum of one semester of classes, and who have a demonstrated interest in the benefits field. Scholarships are merit-based.

Discover Student Loans Scholarship Sweepstakes
Discover Student Loans gave away $50,000 in scholarships to high school and undergraduate students. Students are automatically entered to win a $5,000 scholarship when they signed up.

Zonta International
Zonta International is pleased to offer the Jane M. Klausman Scholarship to women of any age, pursuing a business or business-related program who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field and are living or studying in a Zonta district/region. The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship offers up to 32 scholarships of US$2,000 each at the district/region level. Students must be enrolled full-time in at least the second year of an undergraduate program through the final year of a Master's program at the time the application is submitted to the local Zonta club The deadline to apply for the 2021 scholarship varies by club, but is typically between April and June. 

Zonta Club of Springfield Melba Corliss Scholarship
The Zonta Club of Springfield has sought applicants for their annual Melba Corliss Scholarship which is for $5000 and awarded to a woman who is already in or will be entering college or graduate school in a private or public college in Western Massachusetts. The recipient should possess an excellent academic record, participation in school activities, and participation in community service projects in conjunction with their school, church, club, or on their own. All applications must be received by June 15, 2021.

Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley
The Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley is also pleased to offer the $1000 Young Women in Public Affairs Award for Young Women in Public Affairs. The winning application will be considered for an additional $1000 Zonta District award with the potential to compete for one of twelve $7000 international scholarships from Zonta International.

Zonta Club of Berkshire County
The Zonta Club of Berkshire County is now accepting applications for its 2021-2022 Scholarships. Applications must be received by March 15, 2021. Various awards include the Young Women in Public Affairs $1,000 Scholarship, The Women in Technology $1,000 Scholarship Award, The Girls Inc. Scholarship, The Amelia Earhart $10,000 Fellowship, The Berkshire Grad. Continuing Student $1,000 Scholarship, and Jane M. Klausman $1,000 Business Scholarship.

Father Robert F. Wagner Memorial Scholarship
JERICHO, the Bureau for Exceptional Children & Adults in Holyoke, is pleased to announce the availability of the Father Robert F. Wagner Memorial Scholarship. Two $1,000.00 scholarships will be awarded annually to students from Western Massachusetts who are graduating from high school or are enrolled at an accredited college or university and demonstrate either an intention to pursue a degree and a career dedicated to serving persons with disabilities, or be a person with a disability seeking to further his or her education.

Veterans United Foundation
Veterans United Foundation strives to enhance lives by recognizing the selfless contributions of service members and their families through support of such individuals in need. The program assists military service members and their families by awarding up to twenty $2,000 scholarships per semester to help pay for tuition and books.

Big Y Scholarship Program
Each year Big Y awards over 300 scholarships totaling more than $250,000. All Big Y scholarships recognize academic merit and achievement. They are awarded to the most academically outstanding students in the Big Y market area. Big Y scholarships are available to high school seniors, undergraduates, graduates, community college, and non-traditional age students. All Big Y employees are eligible regardless of their residence.

Scholarship America
Scholarship America mobilizes support for students getting into and graduating from college.

United Negro College Fund
The UNCF Program Services Department manages various scholarship programs. Each program has its own eligibility criteria, open/close dates, and required documentation. To apply for a UNCF scholarship, you must apply through the online application process.

National
As one of the nation's largest college financial aid programs in the country, the Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program is the only major scholarship effort that specifically assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. While many aid programs are directed primarily to recognizing academic achievement or leadership potential, the Horatio Alger program also seeks students who have a commitment to use their college degrees in service to others. The National Scholarship Program is awarded to eligible students in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. National Scholars receive an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. during the spring of their senior year to participate in the National Scholars Conference. Scholarship applications for 2021-2022 academic year can be found at

The Horace Smith Fund
The Barr Scholarships are available to students living in Hampden County seeking a college education. Applicants must be graduates of Hampden County (MA) secondary schools; fellowship applicants must be residents of Hampden County or qualified former residents. Scholarship applications for 2021-2022 academic year have a deadline of March 15, 2021.

Frank L. Greathouse Government Accounting Scholarship
This award of $9000 (each award) is available for two undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in full-time study preparing for a career in state and local government finance. The winners, if selected, will be invited to attend the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada's (GFOA) annual conference in Denver, Colorado where the awards will be presented. The GFOA will provide a complimentary annual conference registration and pay for transportation costs to Denver as well as hotel accommodations.

Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship
The Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship of $10,000 is available for the award year 2021-2022 to an upper-division undergraduate or graduate student. The purpose of the Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship is to recognize outstanding performance by minority students preparing for careers in state and local government finance. This scholarship is funded by Tyler Technologies. The winner, if one is selected, will be invited to attend the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada's (GFOA) annual conference in Denver, Colorado, where the award will be presented. The GFOA will provide the winner a complimentary annual conference registration, transportation costs to Denver, and hotel accommodations.

Polish Junior League of Massachusetts, Inc.
All funds raised in the Polish Junior League of Massachusetts Annual Fashion Show each fall are used for scholarships for college students of Polish heritage.